The Mountain Ascent from Lowe Alpine has been designed to meet the needs of demanding mountaineers to produce a practical and robust, multi purpose mountaineering pack that is perfect for all mountain activities from Alpine hut to hut tours, multi day mountain routes and long days out in the hills.
This pack is all about function and practicality, all the main contact points have been designed for easy use with winter gloves or mitts and there are enough clever storage options for winter axes, tools, skis and climbing kit. Lowe's ingenious "headlocker" system has been improved to make attaching and removing ice axes easier and the ski attachment points have been designed to accommodate modern powder skis. Trekking poles can be attached using Lowe’s ingenious TipGripper system that allows stowage of poles with or without rubber ferules.
Comfort has not been compromised and padded hip belt and shoulder harness provide a comfortable carry across a broad size range. You can even remove the hip belt for use when wearing a harness or if you just don't want a waist belt at all. The shoulder straps have extra padding on the main load bearing points and less where it’s not required and the moulded back panel is designed to enhance comfort when carrying heavier loads and features mesh panels to increase ventilation. An internal wire frame provides essential support and load distribution and can be completely removed if you really need to strip the pack to its minimum weight.
For versatile loading options the top lid can be extended and has a webbing strap underneath to accommodate ropes, crampons and the whole thing can be removed for weight saving. One of the best features of the Mountain Ascent, one not often found on this kind of pack, is the large side zip which allows direct access to the main compartment without going through the top lid; this is especially useful if you've packed your rope/crampons under the lid. The main compartment can also be split in two via a zipped divider to separate wet/dirty kit and this base compartment can be accessed from the bottom of the pack via a zipped entrance.
To make sure you get years of service from this superb pack it is made from Lowe's special 330D Cross nylon ripstop fabric for strength. TRISHIELD DURA is used on the main wear areas and is a lightweight yet super tough fabric with a TPU coating on the outside and a PU coating on the inside. This combination increases abrasion resistance by 13 times, wont absorb water and will stand up to years of abuse in extreme conditions.
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Lightweight and incredibly durable 330D Cross fabric
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Trishield Dura fabric reinforcements
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Comfortable mesh and moulded combo back system
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Removable frame
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Removable hip belt
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Gear loops and ice screw krab slots on hipbelt
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Main compartment with internal divider
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Side zip for easy access
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Wide ski slots of modern powder skis
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Mitt friendly winter buckles
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Revised HeadLocker ice axe attachment
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Extendable/removable lid
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Under lid rope and crampon strap
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External lash points
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Chest strap
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Wand pockets
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Hydration compatible
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TipGripper pole attachment
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Compression straps
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Large grab handle for clipping to belays
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.